The Brelli is the world’s first 100% green AND 100% biodegradable umbrella. It is made using renewable bamboo, organic cotton, and a patented, biodegradable biofilm.
This unique and stylish umbrella is the brainchild of Pamela Zonsius. She was inspired by the styling of the beautiful Asian parasol to develop the Brelli. It’s the answer to the ubiquitous and style-less black nylon umbrella that typically brakes upon its first exposure to mild wind, and ends up littering city streets and adding to landfills.
Pamela worked with leading researchers, scientists and developers to create the patented eco-plastic biofilm that covers the umbrella’s bamboo frame. [...]

Like most of us, I really, really do make an effort to act green… as long as it doesn’t add yet another complication to my already endless To-Do list. I know, that’s almost lame, but it’s my reality. Still, in my defense, know that I’m a recycling tyrant.
So, when an item like the Green2 Laundry Washing Ball comes along, I can’t help but embrace it and spread the word. The Laundry Washing Ball is an earth friendly product that replaces the need for bleaches, harmful synthetic detergents or softeners.
I found out about this item on Alice.com (you know, my second [...]

Here’s a skin care line with a great product AND a great story. I was reminded of this brand the other day when I encountered, way in the back of my bathroom cabinet, a nearly empty bottle of the wonderful Shea Butter moisturizing lotion which had been given to me by the wonderful Jennifer at J & P Yoga. Greatest lotion ever. Let me tell you about this company.
Alaffia’s Sustainable Skin Care line is based on community empowerment AND Shea Butter. But let’s get our Shea Butters straight. This is NOT of the refined type that we find in most [...]

I know, I know. I’m a broken record on this subject (here, here and here among other mentions), but it merits repeating: Let’s stop using disposable water bottles! See horrible disposable water bottle facts here.  Especially when there are such pretty and inspiring options as that KOR One Hydration Vessels. I love that they are called “hydration vessels” as indeed, these can carry other liquids than water: flavored iced tea? Stevia lemonade? But the appellation of “vessel” elevates these beauties and the water they carry.  Indeed, KOR Water’s mission is to  “celebrate and protect water”.  Paul Shustak, co-founder describes the [...]

Grilling season is upon us. I just know that you are looking for an eco-friendly alternative to the fuel imbued charcoal briquettes. You probably also prefer that your food taste like food and not like gas? Well, you will want to know that coconut charcoal is the new cleaner alternative. Co.co.nut??
Indeed. Coconut Charcoal is made from the inner hard shell of a coconut.  When carbonized coconut shell is burned as charcoal, it achieves high heat and maintains that temperature for up to two and a half hours. The condensed fiber of coconut shells creates hotter, longer and cleaner burning charcoal [...]

Until I discovered someecards.com some months ago, I had been feeling very sad about the sorry selection of ecards (Please. No. Not another teddy bear, rainbow, balloons and cheezy platitudes). But, admittedly, someecards are perhaps a wee bit too irreverent to be appropriate for everyone and every occasion.
This is where VerveCards.com comes in: colorfully designed and clever with a great choice of very “appropriate” ecards when that is required. Nancy, co-founder of VerveCards, apparently as appalled as I by the dismal choice of reasonably decent ecards ( I know, it’s just totally outreageous!), actually did something about it. Her moment [...]

I know. Earth Day this, Earth Day that. Are we done yet? Unfortunately, I’m still in on the subject and am determined on fitting in one more Green, Earth-Friendly product line before the end of the week. Because I looooove it: the Sun & Earth brand of  home cleaning products. I first learned of this company through Alice.com, my now go-to source for all household product shopping. I was looking for alternatives to the usual natural cleaning product and the Sun & Earth brand popped up so I gave it a try, first with the fabric softener. I was so [...]

I have truly discovered the perfect sunscreen for everyone in my family. KineSYS. I love the microspray applicator. It makes the sunscreen so easy to apply as it prevents the sunscreen from overspraying and it helps provide an all over, uniform application. It is also fast drying and has no slippery oil or thick pasty feel to it. You hear people say in the promo video that it feels like air. It’s true!
Inevitably my girls will rub their eyes right after I apply sunscreen on them. With this product line, there are no more screams from sunscreen in their eyes. [...]

Straight from the dumpster? Yep. Tammy Roy, dumpster-diver par excellence can make scrap look good like it’s nobody’s business. Thankfully, One Eighty is her re-use design business.
Tammy trained in graphic design but went on a tangent after she realized that she couldn’t shake the dumpster-diving bug she inherited from her mom, also a recycle-based artist. She learned how to weld the reclaimed metal treasures that she found (metal disks, rebar and machinery parts from salvage yard and various waste from steel manufacturers) to design these wonderful and functional objects.
I’m seriously eyeing her Steel Pebble Holder to use indoors or out. [...]

By Audrey van Petegem, Contributing Editor
Don’t you just hate those reusable water bottles that have such a small opening on top that makes them so hard to clean? Plus, when you drink from it there is a nasty metallic taste to the water. Well! I just discovered these stainless steel water bottles from Good Life Gear that I just love! The reason that they are so great is that you can screw off the entire top to effectively clean the bottle. Plus you can actually put ice in it (it’s the little things, you know…)!!! The bottles also have a [...]